For New York Nudists, Winter Is No Joke

A recent wintertime event organized by a New York-based nudist group included a body-painting party.

Wintertime doesn’t typically present a lot of options for New York City nudists, but this weekend offers something new: a clothes-free comedy show.

Young Naturists and Nudists America, a New York-based group, is hosting its first Laugh Your Pants Off comedy show Saturday at the 45th Street Theatre. The entire audience will be nude. The comedians? They’re thinking about it.

“I was like, ‘Oh! Even better,’” said Joe Larson, 30 years old, who is planning to start his set clothed. “It might come off all in a flash with some terrific tear-away pants. Or I might say, ‘If you laugh at this joke, I’ll take off a piece of clothing.’”

The comedy show caps a day of nude activities, starting with two back-to-back screenings of the independent comedy, “Act Naturally,” about sisters who discover their deceased father has left them a nudist resort. But the packed day is an exception to a barren season for the group.

“I hate winter,” said Felicity Jones, co-founder of Young Naturists. “It’s definitely been challenging.” In the summer months, the group leads bare outings to Fire Island and nudist resorts in New Jersey and the Catskills.

But they carry on through the cold, with gatherings that have included a burlesque show and body-painting parties. The group emphasizes that sexual behavior is strictly prohibited at its events.

Audience members on Saturday will arrive clothed, shimmy out of their winter gear and carry a towel or sarong to sit on. Everyone is welcome, Ms. Jones said, with no previous nudist experience necessary.

The comedians aren’t nudists, but Ms. Jones, 24, has invited them to disrobe if they wish.

Naomi Ekperigin, 29, said she wasn’t sure when she first saw the invitation whether it was spam or “a gift from the gods.” She’s not quite ready to go au naturel, instead contemplating either a skeleton costume or wrapping herself in towels.

“I’m nervous that I’ll be the only clothed person,” she said. “If everyone else is naked and I’m not, then I’m the weirdo… I’ve got to put myself in their lack of shoes.”